By way of explanation, let me differentiate between elevated and high-temperature drying. By
elevated temperatures I am referring to temperatures below the boiling point of water or in practice to
200°. With high-temperature drying I refer to drying using temperatures from 210° to 280°. Most om-monly in the Inland Empire, high-temperature drying is„ use of maximum temperatures around 240°.
During my discussion of elevated temperature drying, I will be referring to Fir and Pine. Please
remember, I am talking about Inland Fir species, whereas with Pine I refer to Ponderosa Pine. The ex-perimentation into elevated drying to which I will refer, was carried on in the Inland Empire.
The Fir in this region carries a low initial moisture content, ranging from 50 to 60%. Ponderosa
Pine in the area varies in moisture content, with Sap portions to 200% and Heart from 40 to 50%.